The Northeast Women’s Hockey League regular-season title and the NEWHL tournament top-seed spot hangs tight with the Plattsburgh State women’s hockey team after its 6-1 win against SUNY Potsdam Jan. 29.
With the Cardinals’ 11th consecutive win last week they remain undefeated in its league schedule (14-0-0).
PSU brought the fight to SUNY Potsdam with 55 shots made throughout the match, scoring two goals during each period.
Plattsburgh State junior forward Annie Katonka was named Northeast Women’s Hockey League’s Player of the Week for the Cards Feb. 4. Her performance in the second away game against Potsdam last week earned PSU two goals and one assist.
Sophomore goaltender Ashley Davis was named goalie of the week for the third consecutive time this season. She anchored the defense with 13 saves and a save percentage of .929 throughout the match.
Davis became the starting goaltender after Kassi Abbott graduated. As a freshman last season, Davis shared the goaltender position with two other teammates. Davis said she knew one of them would be chosen to fulfill the position, so they competed for it “game in and game out.”
“At the end of the day, it’s coach’s choice,” Davis said. “ But it’s nice to have that confidence for myself and the girls in front of me.”
Davis was proud of the PSU’s third victory over league opponent SUNY Potsdam this season given how the first match of the season was a 2-1 overtime win in Potsdam Nov. 13.
“To come that close with them and being able to come back to their place and win 6-1 was a lot better overall,” Davis said. “It gives really good confidence heading into playoffs.”
The Cards had a slow start in the first period, according to Davis.
“When you’re playing against a team like Potsdam, you’re not going to have the typical amount of shots that you’re going to see against a regular team,” Davis said. “You got to focus more on staying in the game and staying competitive with the few shots you get.”
Davis said it’s tougher to be the goalie during the second and third periods of games when the team’s offense rises at the cost of defense.
PSU has five more games remaining in the season.
Tonight, the Cards continue league play against fifth-place SUNY Cortland when PSU hosts the Red Dragons at 7 p.m. and again tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.
